March of Dimes celebrates success of 2016 walk

By Mike Gaffey

Published: July 28, 2016

Chris McAlpine, right, chairman of the March of Dimes’ 2016 March for Babies walk, presents Ted Johnson, manager of Publix Super Markets’ Viera store, with a plaque during an awards presentation and lunch July 16 at Carrabba’s Italian Grill.

Photo by Mike Gaffey

The March of Dimes celebrated the success of its 2016 March for Babies walk with an awards presentation and lunch July 16 at Carrabba’s Italian Grill in Suntree.

Supporters, teams and individuals received plaques, pins and a meal of half-moon ravioli, salad and dessert for helping the March of Dimes raise more than $242,000 during the April 30 walk at Space Coast Stadium in Viera.

The money will fund programs to help mothers have healthy, full-term pregnancies, and research to find solutions to problem pregnancies and birth defects.

“Thanks to the dedication and hard work of supporters like each of you in this room, Florida had 8,000 fewer pre-term babies born this year,” said Chris McAlpine, senior vice president of Parrish Medical Center and chairman of the 2016 campaign.

McAlpine recognized Publix Super Markets, the March of Dimes’ top corporate sponsor and regional partner that raised $154,647 in Brevard County for the campaign, as well as bronze sponsors Blue Cross Blue Shield and Florida Health Plans, Health First, Makoto’s restaurant, Nemours Children’s Health System, Parrish Medical Center and United Healthcare, and media sponsors such as the Viera Voice.